At the scheduled renewal, the official system or office identifies when the metal plate must be replaced. Florida’s advanced replacement fee is collected over the cycle under the current statute and FLHSMV procedure.
Florida’s Ten-Year Plate Rule
Section 320.06 and FLHSMV’s license plate guidance provide for replacement of Florida metal plates every ten years. The purpose is to maintain legibility, reflectivity and credential integrity as the plate ages.
Advanced Replacement Fee
FLHSMV procedure RS-42 explains the advanced replacement fee associated with the ten-year cycle. The procedure describes a $28 replacement fee funded through $2.80 increments over ten years. Verify the current rate and how it appears on the registration transaction.
What Happens During the Scheduled Renewal
The renewal transaction can require a new metal plate instead of only a validation decal. Confirm the mailing address, plate type and personalization. If the plate is personalized or specialty, ask whether the same configuration and design will continue and whether additional annual fees apply.
Lost, Stolen, Damaged or Altered Plates
Do not wait for the ten-year date when a plate is missing, unreadable, altered or unsafe. Use the replacement procedure, file a police report when appropriate and surrender the damaged credential when requested. Voluntary early replacement does not necessarily create a refund or credit for advanced replacement amounts already collected.
Special Credentials
Disabled veteran, wheelchair, commercial, apportioned, specialty and other plate types can have additional procedures. Use the applicable FLHSMV registration procedure rather than assuming the general passenger rule covers every credential.
Keep the New Registration and Old-Plate Receipt
Verify the plate number and decal after replacement. If the office takes the old plate, keep the transaction receipt. Update toll, parking, employer, gated-community and insurance records when the plate number changes.
Official reports, portals and procedures can change. Send the exact official URL, report period and section when reporting an update.